Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp plans to give Calvin Ramsay the chance to impress with the first team in pre-season rather than immediately send him out on loan.
The 18-year-old has agreed to join the Reds from Aberdeen this summer for a fixed fee of just over £4million, with a further £1.5m agreed in appearance-related bonus payments. Klopp is a big admirer of the teenager, who made 33 appearances for the Dons in his breakthrough season and was voted the Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year.
Ramsay is set to become Liverpool's third signing of the window after Fabio Carvalho joined on a free transfer from Fulham, while Darwin Nunez arrived in a potentially-record-breaking switch from Benfica on Tuesday. Although the Reds have been linked with a new midfielder, it is understood the signing of Ramsay will be the Reds' final piece of business this summer, as Klopp happy is with his squad.
The Reds made a firm offer for Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni but the France international chose to join Real Madrid in a £60m deal. However, there is no doubt Ramsay could prove to be an astute addition, with Klopp often calling on youngsters to play regularly in domestic cup competitions.
At this stage, it is unerstood the German manager is not considering sending him immediately back out on loan, even though Rangers, Celtic and a host of Championship clubs are reportedly interested. Liverpool see him developing into a player who can operate in a number of positions on the right side, in defence and midfield, and were attracted to his passing range as well as an ability to create chances.
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He possesses similar qualities to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has developed into one of the world's best full-backs. Klopp feels Ramsay can be a perfect long-term, versatile option for his side and has shown in the past he is willing to trust young players, especially in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Ramsay is likely to travel to Merseyside this weekend for a medical before completing his move next week. The Scotland Under-21 international broke into the Aberdeen first team last season, scoring one goal and providing nine assists from the right-back position.
He will sign a five-year contract, with Klopp looking to lower the age profile of his squad, as he joins 22-year-old Nunez and 19-year-old Carvalho in the first team pool. With Klopp’s next priority a midfielder in the summer of 2023, he will now concentrate on trimming his squad during the remainder of the summer, with Sadio Mane, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nat Phillips, Takumi Minamino and Neco Williams likely to depart in permanent or loan deals.
